Steve Johnson has been the county executive director of the federal government’s Farm Service Agency, formerly USDA office, for nearly three decades, during which time he tried to help area farmers receive maximum income through a variety of programs.

As of Monday, he will again join the ranks of farmers, as he retires from the FSA office, located on Route 116 West.

“I started out helping my dad and granddad farm in Macon County, where I grew up,” said Johnson. “Then I taught high school agriculture before I ended up working in this office. When I retire, I’ll be helping dad with the farm books,” he said.

Johnson’s last day at the office will be Monday.

“I’ve been responsible for a lot of different programs over the years that offer farmers subsidy payments or low-interest loans, like the conservation reserve and farm storage facility loans. This office has a loan manager and officers and they see a lot of work,” he added.

“However, unlike the drought of 1988, farmers in this area were much better protected this year, I think most learned from that earlier one and participate in a federal crop insurance program now. Through insurance most farmers will recoup enough money to plant next year’s crop. Insurance has been a real boon, even though it’s not the same as having a bumper crop. Also, the hybrids are better able to withstand tougher conditions. There was still crop this year, in 1988 there wasn’t. Where we see a real need is when a crop is bad for some other reason, then we help restructure financing so the farmer can plant the following year.

“Of course, there are fewer farmers than there were, as more and more small operations are taken over by bigger operations,” he said.

In year’s past, the agency used control production through conservation and idle acres programs to help the market, but that is no longer the case, Johnson said.

“Our programs just focus on how we can help each farmer individually,” he said.

Farming has become more automated, as has the office, Johnson added with a laugh.

“All of our application processes are automated now, which is good because we get less funding while trying to do more.”

Johnson said what he will miss the most is dealing with area farmers.

“The best thing about this job is all the farmers I have met and worked with over the years. It’s been enjoyable being associated with agriculture and helping farmers maximize their income.”

The least enjoyable has been the cut in funding available to farmers, as well as to operate the office.

Page 2 of 2 - Johnson and his wife, Pat, currently live in Flanagan, but anticipate a move to Maroa in the future, so he can be closer to his father, who lives in Decatur.

“My wife, ‘P.J.’ works in the county clerk’s office and she isn’t ready to retire just yet,” he said. “I’ll be spending a lot of time helping dad, so it probably won’t really feel like retirement for awhile.”